Sustainable Development, SDGs and Renewable Energy

What to remember

• Sustainable development means meeting present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It balances three pillars: economic, social and environmental.
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the UN in 2015 as the 2030 Agenda. India tracks progress through NITI Aayog.
• Renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal, tidal) renew naturally; India supports them through missions, biofuel policy and green hydrogen.

Meaning and scope of sustainable development

The best-known definition comes from the Brundtland Commission report "Our Common Future" (1987). The idea grew through a series of global meetings:

Three pillars: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Related ideas are carrying capacity (the largest population that an environment can support), ecological footprint (the area of land and water needed to support a person's way of life), intergenerational equity, and the circular economy, in which waste is turned back into resources.

Weak and strong sustainability: weak sustainability allows man-made capital to replace natural capital; strong sustainability says some natural capital cannot be replaced.

Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs are 17 goals with 169 targets, to be reached by 2030. They replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000 to 2015).

• 1. No poverty
• 2. Zero hunger
• 3. Good health and well-being
• 4. Quality education
• 5. Gender equality
• 6. Clean water and sanitation
• 7. Affordable and clean energy
• 8. Decent work and economic growth
• 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• 10. Reduced inequalities
• 11. Sustainable cities and communities
• 12. Responsible consumption and production
• 13. Climate action
• 14. Life below water
• 15. Life on land
• 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
• 17. Partnerships for the goals

India's efforts: NITI Aayog coordinates SDG work and publishes the SDG India Index, which ranks States and Union Territories. Programmes linked to the goals include the Swachh Bharat Mission (sanitation), Jal Jeevan Mission (tap water), Ujjwala (clean cooking fuel), PM-KUSUM (solar for farmers), Poshan Abhiyaan (nutrition), Samagra Shiksha (education), and Ayushman Bharat (health). Andhra Pradesh also prepares State-level SDG work and tracks indicators through its planning department.

Renewable energy

Renewable sources are replaced by nature in a short time. Non-renewable sources (coal, oil, gas) take millions of years.

National Solar Mission (2010) is part of the NAPCC. India also supports solar parks, rooftop solar, and solar pumps for farms. Wind power is concentrated in areas with strong, steady winds.

Advantages of renewables: little or no emissions, local jobs, and energy security. Challenges: variable output (sun and wind come and go), land needs, grid connection, and storage. Battery storage and pumped storage help solve variability.

Biofuels

Biofuels are fuels made from plant or animal matter.

• First generation: from food crops, such as ethanol from sugarcane juice or molasses, and biodiesel from oilseeds.
• Second generation: from non-food matter like crop residue, agricultural waste, and municipal waste.
• Third generation: from algae.

India's National Policy on Biofuels (2018) promotes ethanol blending in petrol and biodiesel blending in diesel. The target for blending ethanol in petrol has been brought forward in later updates (the aim is 20 percent, called E20). Check the latest official release for current numbers. The SATAT initiative supports compressed biogas from waste, and GOBAR-Dhan supports biogas from cattle dung and farm waste.

Energy conservation

• The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 created the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
• Star labelling on appliances shows energy efficiency; more stars means less power use.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme sets energy-saving targets for large industries, with tradeable certificates.
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) sets rules for efficient buildings.
• UJALA scheme promoted LED bulbs.
• Simple steps: efficient lighting, public transport, insulation, and switching off idle equipment.

Green hydrogen basics

Hydrogen is a clean fuel, because burning it gives only water. How it is made decides how clean it is:

• Grey hydrogen: from natural gas, releasing CO2.
• Blue hydrogen: from natural gas, with carbon capture.
• Green hydrogen: from water by electrolysis using renewable electricity. This gives no carbon emissions.

India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) to make India a hub for production, use and export of green hydrogen and its products such as green ammonia. Uses: fertiliser, refining, steel, and heavy transport. Challenges: cost, storage, and transport.

Andhra Pradesh renewable energy programmes

• The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) promotes renewable power, energy efficiency and related projects in the State.
• Solar: large solar parks are located in the Rayalaseema region, including the Ananthapuramu and Kurnool parks, as well as rooftop and farm-pump solar.
• Wind: wind farms are located in dry, windy upland areas of Rayalaseema, such as near Ramagiri.
• Hydro and pumped storage: hydropower from river projects, and pumped storage projects are being developed, including a large integrated renewable project near Pinnapuram.
• Green hydrogen and ammonia: the State has promoted hubs for green hydrogen on its coast, with Visakhapatnam and Kakinada as industrial centres.
• Biomass and bagasse: power from sugar-mill residues and farm waste.
• Energy efficiency: LED street lights, efficient pumps and agricultural feeder separation.

Sustainable practices and indicators

• Sustainable agriculture: organic and natural farming, crop rotation, drip irrigation, soil health management, and integrated pest management. Andhra Pradesh has promoted community-managed natural farming.
• Sustainable cities: public transport, waste recycling, green buildings, urban forests and water recycling (SDG 11).
• Sustainable consumption: reduce, reuse and recycle; avoid single-use items (SDG 12).
• Rainwater harvesting and watershed management: conserve water and recharge groundwater.
• Green GDP and Human Development Index: green GDP adjusts growth for environmental loss; the HDI combines health, education and income.
• Environmental Kuznets idea: pollution may first rise as an economy grows, and then fall when people can afford cleaner methods. This is debated.
• Eco-friendly products: Ecomark is the Indian label for products that cause less harm to the environment.
• Corporate action: Companies are encouraged to report on environmental, social and governance performance and to follow green rules.

International Energy Initiatives

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): India-led, with its headquarters in Gurugram, India.
• One Sun One World One Grid: an Indian idea to link solar power across regions.
• Mission Innovation and COP pledges: countries commit to expand clean energy research and capacity.
• Net metering: allows rooftop solar owners to send surplus power to the grid and receive credit.
• Smart grid and storage: manage supply from variable sources.
• Electric mobility: electric vehicles reduce air pollution and oil use when charged by clean power. India's schemes support EV manufacture and charging stations.

Exam traps

• 1. MDGs ran from 2000 to 2015; SDGs from 2015 to 2030.
• 2. SDG 7 is energy; SDG 13 is climate action; SDG 6 is water and sanitation.
• 3. Brundtland gave the definition; Rio gave Agenda 21.
• 4. Green hydrogen uses renewable electricity; grey hydrogen uses natural gas.
• 5. First-generation biofuels use food crops; second-generation use waste.
• 6. Solar photovoltaic gives electricity directly; solar thermal gives heat first.
• 7. BEE is under the Energy Conservation Act, not the Electricity Act.
• 8. Geothermal energy comes from inside Earth, not from the sun.

One-liners

• 1. "Our Common Future" was published in 1987.
• 2. There are 17 SDGs and 169 targets.
• 3. SDG 13 is climate action.
• 4. SDG 7 is affordable and clean energy.
• 5. NITI Aayog publishes the SDG India Index.
• 6. The National Solar Mission began in 2010.
• 7. Electrolysis of water gives hydrogen and oxygen.
• 8. Gobar-Dhan supports biogas from cattle dung.
• 9. BEE was created under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• 10. NREDCAP is the AP nodal agency for renewable energy.
• 11. The National Policy on Biofuels is from 2018.
• 12. The National Green Hydrogen Mission started in 2023.

Practice questions

1. Sustainable development was defined in the report titled

   1. Limits to Growth
   2. Agenda 21
   3. Our Common Future
   4. Silent Spring
   Answer

   C. Our Common Future

   The 1987 Brundtland Report gave the definition.

2. The Brundtland Commission report was published in

   1. 1972
   2. 1987
   3. 2015
   4. 1992
   Answer

   B. 1987

   It is also called Our Common Future.

3. The first major UN conference on the human environment was held in

   1. Paris in 2015
   2. Kyoto in 1997
   3. Stockholm in 1972
   4. Rio in 1992
   Answer

   C. Stockholm in 1972

   It led to the creation of UNEP.

4. World Environment Day is observed on

   1. 16 September
   2. 22 April
   3. 21 March
   4. 5 June
   Answer

   D. 5 June

   It commemorates the Stockholm Conference.

5. Agenda 21 was adopted at the

   1. Johannesburg Summit
   2. Paris COP
   3. Rio Earth Summit, 1992
   4. Stockholm Conference
   Answer

   C. Rio Earth Summit, 1992

   Agenda 21 is a plan for sustainable development.

6. The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in

   1. 2005
   2. 2022
   3. 2000
   4. 2015
   Answer

   D. 2015

   They form the 2030 Agenda.

7. The total number of SDGs is

   1. 8
   2. 17
   3. 12
   4. 25
   Answer

   B. 17

   There are 17 goals and 169 targets.

8. The SDGs replaced the

   1. Kyoto targets
   2. Millennium Development Goals
   3. Five Year Plans
   4. Aichi targets
   Answer

   B. Millennium Development Goals

   MDGs ran from 2000 to 2015.

9. SDG 7 deals with

   1. life below water
   2. gender equality
   3. affordable and clean energy
   4. quality education
   Answer

   C. affordable and clean energy

   Goal 7 covers energy access and clean energy.

10. SDG 6 deals with

    1. zero hunger
    2. responsible consumption
    3. industry and innovation
    4. clean water and sanitation
    Answer

    D. clean water and sanitation

    Goal 6 is clean water and sanitation.

11. SDG 14 is about

    1. climate action
    2. no poverty
    3. life on land
    4. life below water
    Answer

    D. life below water

    Goal 14 covers oceans and marine life; Goal 15 covers land.

12. The SDG India Index is published by

    1. Reserve Bank of India
    2. NITI Aayog
    3. Finance Commission
    4. Election Commission
    Answer

    B. NITI Aayog

    NITI Aayog coordinates SDG work in India.

13. Jal Jeevan Mission mainly supports which goal?

    1. Quality education
    2. Peace and justice
    3. Clean water and sanitation
    4. Reduced inequalities
    Answer

    C. Clean water and sanitation

    It aims at tap water in rural homes.

14. Ujjwala Yojana supports clean cooking fuel, which relates to

    1. space research
    2. coastal trade
    3. defence
    4. clean energy and health
    Answer

    D. clean energy and health

    It reduces indoor air pollution.

15. The ecological footprint is

    1. the weight of a forest
    2. the pollution in a river
    3. the land and water area needed to support a lifestyle
    4. the area of a national park
    Answer

    C. the land and water area needed to support a lifestyle

    It measures human demand on nature.

16. Carrying capacity means the

    1. number of species in a forest
    2. maximum population an environment can support
    3. size of a protected area
    4. carbon stored in soil
    Answer

    B. maximum population an environment can support

    Beyond this limit, resources are overused.

17. A circular economy aims to

    1. burn all waste
    2. increase mining
    3. turn waste back into resources
    4. stop all trade
    Answer

    C. turn waste back into resources

    Reuse and recycling keep materials in use.

18. Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?

    1. Coal
    2. Natural gas
    3. Petroleum
    4. Tidal energy
    Answer

    D. Tidal energy

    Tides renew themselves naturally.

19. Solar photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into

    1. electricity
    2. hydrogen
    3. biogas
    4. steam
    Answer

    A. electricity

    PV cells use the photoelectric effect.

20. Solar water heaters are an example of

    1. nuclear energy
    2. solar thermal energy
    3. geothermal energy
    4. photovoltaic energy
    Answer

    B. solar thermal energy

    They use the heat of the sun directly.

21. Puga in Ladakh and Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh are sites of

    1. biomass energy
    2. geothermal energy
    3. wind energy
    4. tidal energy
    Answer

    B. geothermal energy

    They have hot springs.

22. Pumped storage hydro projects act like a

    1. large battery
    2. wind turbine
    3. solar cell
    4. coal mine
    Answer

    A. large battery

    Water is pumped uphill using spare power and released later.

23. Ethanol blended with petrol comes mostly from

    1. natural gas only
    2. coal tar
    3. crude oil wells
    4. sugarcane and other biomass
    Answer

    D. sugarcane and other biomass

    Ethanol is made by fermenting plant sugars.

24. Biofuels made from crop residue and waste are

    1. first-generation biofuels
    2. third-generation biofuels
    3. second-generation biofuels
    4. fossil fuels
    Answer

    C. second-generation biofuels

    First generation uses food crops; third uses algae.

25. Biofuels made from algae are

    1. third-generation biofuels
    2. non-renewable fuels
    3. first-generation biofuels
    4. second-generation biofuels
    Answer

    A. third-generation biofuels

    Algae are the third generation source.

26. India's National Policy on Biofuels was announced in

    1. 1991
    2. 2018
    3. 2023
    4. 2001
    Answer

    B. 2018

    It promotes ethanol and biodiesel blending.

27. The SATAT initiative promotes

    1. tidal turbines
    2. nuclear power
    3. coal mining
    4. compressed biogas from waste
    Answer

    D. compressed biogas from waste

    It supports compressed biogas plants.

28. GOBAR-Dhan aims to produce biogas from

    1. coal slurry
    2. sea water
    3. cattle dung and farm waste
    4. nuclear waste
    Answer

    C. cattle dung and farm waste

    It turns rural waste into energy and manure.

29. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency was created under the

    1. Air Act, 1981
    2. Environment Protection Act, 1986
    3. Energy Conservation Act, 2001
    4. Electricity Act, 2003
    Answer

    C. Energy Conservation Act, 2001

    BEE promotes energy efficiency.

30. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme sets energy-saving targets for

    1. large industries
    2. households only
    3. farmers only
    4. schools only
    Answer

    A. large industries

    Industries trade certificates for savings.

31. Hydrogen made by electrolysis of water using renewable power is called

    1. brown hydrogen
    2. green hydrogen
    3. blue hydrogen
    4. grey hydrogen
    Answer

    B. green hydrogen

    It gives no carbon emissions.

32. Hydrogen made from natural gas with carbon capture is called

    1. white hydrogen
    2. grey hydrogen
    3. green hydrogen
    4. blue hydrogen
    Answer

    D. blue hydrogen

    Carbon capture makes it blue rather than grey.

33. The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched in

    1. 2023
    2. 2015
    3. 2018
    4. 2008
    Answer

    A. 2023

    It aims to make India a green hydrogen hub.

34. The nodal agency for renewable energy development in Andhra Pradesh is

    1. APTRANSCO only
    2. NABARD
    3. NREDCAP
    4. SIDBI
    Answer

    C. NREDCAP

    New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh.

35. Large solar parks in Andhra Pradesh are mainly located in

    1. Uttarandhra hills
    2. Rayalaseema
    3. Konaseema coast
    4. Godavari delta
    Answer

    B. Rayalaseema

    Ananthapuramu and Kurnool parks are in Rayalaseema.

36. India's International Solar Alliance has its headquarters in

    1. Chennai
    2. Hyderabad
    3. Mumbai
    4. Gurugram
    Answer

    D. Gurugram

    ISA is based in Gurugram, India.

37. Consider the statements: 1. The three pillars of sustainable development are economic, social and environmental. 2. The SDGs were adopted in 1992. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    SDGs were adopted in 2015.

38. Consider the statements: 1. Wind energy is a renewable source. 2. Geothermal energy comes from the sun. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Geothermal comes from heat inside Earth.

39. Consider the statements: 1. Grey hydrogen is made from natural gas without carbon capture. 2. Green hydrogen is made by electrolysis using renewable electricity. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

40. Consider the statements: 1. First-generation biofuels use food crops. 2. Second-generation biofuels use only algae. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Algae are third generation; second generation uses residue and waste.

41. Consider the statements: 1. The National Solar Mission began in 2010. 2. It is one of the missions under the NAPCC. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

42. Consider the statements: 1. A star label on an appliance indicates its energy efficiency. 2. More stars mean the appliance uses more power. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    More stars mean more efficiency.

43. Consider the statements: 1. Net metering lets rooftop solar owners send extra power to the grid. 2. Renewable energy output is always steady. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Sun and wind vary, so storage is needed.

44. Match the term with its meaning. 1. Brundtland 2. Rio 1992 3. Rio+20 4. Stockholm 1972 A. Led to SDGs B. Defined sustainable development C. First human environment conference D. Agenda 21

    1. 1-D, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C
    2. 1-B, 2-D, 3-C, 4-A
    3. 1-A, 2-D, 3-B, 4-C
    4. 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C
    Answer

    D. 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C

    Each event is matched with its key outcome.